Bunkermuseum RAW Nippes

Useful Information

Location:	Wagenhallenstraße, 50733 Köln-Nippes. KVB: S-Bahn Linie 6 & 11, Haltestelle „Köln-Nippes“; Buslinie 147, Haltestelle “ Wilhelmstraße“; Buslinie 142 Haltestelle „Sechzigstraße“. (50.9636939, 6.9430892)
Open:	APR to OCT 2nd and 4th Sun 10-16, last guided tour 15. [2025]
Fee:	free, donation accepted. [2025]
Classification:	World War II Bunker
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Bunkermuseum RAW Nippes, Wagenhallenstraße, 50733 Köln-Nippes, Tel: +49-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1941	Bunker built.
2008	Arbeitsgemeinschaft Festung Köln e.V. commissioned by the city of Cologne to maintain the bunker.

Description

The Bunkermuseum RAW Nippes (RAW Nippes Bunker Museum) is run by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Festung Köln e.V. (Cologne Fortress Association). The association has not only preserved this bunker, but also restored it to its original condition as far as possible. There is original equipment from the bunker, as well as other contemporary objects such as furniture, telephones, posters and pictures. The bunker also serves as a museum and exhibition space for temporary exhibitions.

The bunker is located on the site of the former Deutsche Reichsbahn repair works in the Cologne-Nippes district. A bunker was built in 1941 to receive reports of incoming bombers and to warn Cologne’s train drivers. It was known as the air raid control center of the Reichsbahn repair works (RAW). In the event of an air raid, the loads were secured and the employees of the Reichsbahn repair works went to their respective bunkers. This bunker served as quarters for the 18 men of the factory air raid shelter. In other words, this bunker is neither a military object nor a civilian air-raid watch. It is a protective building for railroad employees and a control center for air raids on Cologne’s lifeline and supply artery. It has a rectangular floor plan, several rooms with vaulted ceilings, and the infrastructure included a telephone system, recreation rooms, bedrooms and even a doctor's room.

The bunker has a room called the Trefferraum (hit room). On 21-DEC-1944, the bunker was hit by a direct hit and the bunker did not withstand the subsequent explosion. One room near the entrance still has a shattered ceiling and bent steel beams. This explosion caused the blast wave to spread throughout the bunker. Christian Kleefisch, the head of the air raid control center, had sought shelter next to a safe and was crushed to death by it. However, this naturally caused problems during the renovation. Firstly, moisture penetrates the bunker, then there is a stability problem, and finally the hole is located in a place that is used by cars and trucks. Heavy-duty supports were erected to secure the bunker and the hole was fenced off on the surface with a 1.5 m high fence. This means that visitors can still see the effects of a bomb, which is quite unusual.

The bunker is located in Cologne-Nippes at the northern end of Wagenhallenstraße, close to the Wendehammer. The best place to park is at the P+R Köln-Nippes, from here you can reach the bunker in 5 minutes on foot.

The association offers guided tours of various other buildings, including city tours and guided tours along the Kölnpfad (Cologne Trail) along the fortifications. The three main tours are Fort IV Bocklemünd (Postsportverein), Zwischenwerk IIIb, and Fort X on Neusser Wall.